Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'three'

English Word: three

Key Russian Translations:

• три (/trʲi/) - [Formal, Informal; Used in general counting and everyday contexts]

Frequency: High (The word is one of the most basic numerals in Russian and appears frequently in daily conversation, mathematics, and literature.)

Difficulty: A1 (Beginner level; Easy to learn as it is a fundamental number with straightforward pronunciation and usage.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

три: /trʲi/ (The 'р' is rolled, and the 'и' is a high front vowel; stress is on the first syllable.)

Note on три: Be mindful of the palatalized 'р' sound, which is common in Russian but may be challenging for English speakers. The word is invariant in most contexts but adjusts in compounds.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

The cardinal number 3

Translation(s) & Context:

• три - Used in counting objects, ages, quantities, or in mathematical contexts (e.g., everyday shopping, telling time, or describing groups).

Usage Examples:

• У меня три яблока. (U menya tri yabloka.)

  I have three apples. (This example shows 'три' in a simple possessive context, demonstrating its use with countable nouns in the nominative case.)

• Этому дому триста лет. (Etomu domu trista let.)

  This house is three hundred years old. (Here, 'триста' is a compound form, illustrating how 'три' integrates into larger numbers for historical or descriptive contexts.)

• В группе три человека. (V gruppe tri cheloveka.)

  There are three people in the group. (This demonstrates 'три' in a formal or informal group description, often in social or professional settings.)

• Я ем три раза в день. (Ya yem tri raza v den'.)

  I eat three times a day. (Shows 'три' with frequency adverbs, common in daily routines or health discussions.)

• Три плюс два равно пять. (Tri plyus dva raveno pyat'.)

  Three plus two equals five. (This example is from a mathematical context, highlighting 'три' in educational or problem-solving scenarios.)

Russian Forms/Inflections:

The word 'три' is a cardinal numeral in Russian, which exhibits some inflection based on grammatical case, gender, and number. Unlike English, Russian numerals change form depending on the noun they modify. 'Три' is invariable in gender but changes in case.

Note: For compounds like 'триста' (three hundred), the inflection follows similar rules but is more complex. If the numeral is used alone, it remains largely uninflected.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms: тройка (troika) - Informal term for a group of three, often in idiomatic expressions; троица (troitsa) - Refers specifically to a religious or grouped trio, with a more formal or cultural connotation.
• Antonyms: один (odin) - One; два (dva) - Two; or any other numerals indicating different quantities, though not direct antonyms in a strict sense.

Related Phrases:

• Три мушкетёра - The Three Musketeers (A famous literary reference, often used in cultural discussions to denote unity or adventure.)
• Трижды в неделю - Three times a week (Common phrase for scheduling or routines, emphasizing frequency.)
• Тройной удар - Triple strike (Used in sports or metaphorical contexts to describe a powerful, threefold action.)

Usage Notes:

In Russian, 'три' directly corresponds to the English 'three' as a basic numeral but must agree with the noun's case and number, which can be tricky for English speakers accustomed to invariant numerals. It is versatile across formal and informal settings, from casual conversations to technical writing. When choosing between translations, 'три' is the standard form; use compounds like 'триста' for larger numbers. Grammatically, remember that after 'три', nouns are typically in the genitive plural if counting objects.

• Avoid overusing it in poetic or emphatic contexts without proper inflection, as this can sound unnatural.
• In business or formal emails, 'три' is straightforward, but pair it with context for clarity, e.g., "три единицы" for "three units".

Common Errors:

English learners often forget to inflect 'три' according to the noun's case, leading to errors like saying "у меня три яблокo" instead of "у меня три яблока" (correct genitive plural). Another common mistake is confusing it with ordinal forms; for example, using 'три' when 'третий' (third) is needed, as in "на третьем этаже" (on the third floor). Correct usage: Always check the case—e.g., wrong: "Я купил трёх хлеба" (incorrect inflection); right: "Я купил три хлеба" (I bought three breads). This error stems from not practicing Russian case systems.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, the number three holds symbolic significance, often representing completeness or the Holy Trinity in Orthodox Christianity (e.g., in icons or festivals like Trinity Sunday). Phrases like 'три мушкетёра' reference Alexandre Dumas' novel, which is popular in Russia, symbolizing camaraderie. This cultural layering can add depth to everyday usage, making 'три' more than just a number in literary or historical contexts.

Related Concepts:

• два (dva) - Two
• четыре (chetyre) - Four
• тройка (troika) - A group of three, often in historical contexts like the Russian troika sled